Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes sugarbeet growing is region located primarily in the Thumb and Saginaw Valley of Michigan, and extends into southeastern Ontario.

Contacting Us

In this region, Crystal® brand sugarbeet seed is distributed exclusively through Michigan Sugar Company. Local agriculturists are the contacts for purchasing Crystal® brand beet seed. They have information regarding variety traits, availability, seed treatments and pricing in each of their areas. Contact your local agriculturist.

The ACH Seeds District Market Manager is Andy Bernia and he resides in the Akron area. Andy has many years of sugarbeet experience and is ready and willing to assist you in your operation. He can be contacted at: 877-769-0195 or abernia@achseeds.com

Primary Sugarbeet Diseases and Pests Affecting Sugarbeet Production

1. Cercospora - This disease normally appears in late July and continues through early September. Variety tolerance is a major management tool and a significant level of tolerance is required by the approval systems. Some Crystal brand varieties offer tolerance much higher than the minimum level. Fungicides are available as a means of control.
   
2. Root aphid – This pest has periodically been a concern in this growing area for many years. It is most prevalent in late summer when the area experiences hot, dry conditions. Currently, variety resistance is the only available control measure. No economic thresholds have been established for sugarbeet root aphid. However, studies in several market regions indicate that even light to moderate infestations (less than 10%) can cause yield reductions. Sugar content and purity are most likely to be affected.
   
3. Rhizoctonia – This fungal root disease has become a significant disease in some markets and is most common when soils are moist and air temperatures are between 77 to 93 degrees. Some of the factors that contribute to Rhizoctonia are crop stress, too much or too little irrigation, root damage, soil in contact with petioles and in the crown area, short rotations, and soil compaction. To combat the effects of this disease, crop rotation, minimizing cultivation and varietal resistance are the best control methods to employ.
   
4. Aphanomyces – This disease is most often a problem at the seedling stage when wet and warm conditions are present. It also can attack more mature plants later in the growing season under similar conditions. Tachigaren® is a fungicide available as a seed treatment for the seedling disease and is available as a seed treatment for specific GemCoat® varieties. Although not required for approval, many varieties offer good to excellent tolerance.
   
5. Rhizomania – This virus is transmitted by a fungus that thrives in wet soil. Symptoms of rhizomania can show up as yellow areas within a sugarbeet field. Within infected areas, stands are usually erect and leaves may have narrow blades and a bright, yellow color. Affected roots have tufting or bearded growth on the lateral roots or in severe cases on the main tap root. When sliced open with a knife, roots have darkened or straw colored vascular rings. Planting tolerant varieties is recommended.
   

Please refer to the "Compendium of Beet Diseases and Insects" for additional information about sugarbeet pests and diseases.

Crystal® Brand Sugarbeet Seed Varieties offered for the Great Lakes Region

Our new generation varieties are among the top-performing varieties in Michigan Sugar Company Official Variety Trials as well as Sugarbeet Advancement on-farm trials. They offer growers increased disease tolerance, pest resistance and superior Recoverable White Sugar per Acre (RWSA).

Varieties

Crystal 271

• A high yielding variety that makes this one of the top producers of RWSA in the Great lakes region
• A top performer in Official Variety Tests and Sugarbeet advancement trials
• Good root aphid resistance
• Very good Cercospora tolerance
• Very good Aphanomyces tolerance Fully approved by Michigan Sugar Cooperative

Crystal 963

• A top performer in Official Variety Trials and Sugarbeet Advancement Trials
• Excellent root aphid resistance
• Very good Aphanomyces tolerance
• Exhibits good emergence and establishes a stand early
• Fully approved by Michigan Sugar Cooperative

Crystal 355

• Unique disease package not found in any other variety available
• Unprecedented Cercospora tolerance
• Very good Rhizoctonia tolerance
• Excellent Aphanomyces tolerance
• Better yield, quality, Aphanomyces and canopy than other Rhizoctonia types
• Will save producers on input costs since it requires fewer fungicide treatments

Crystal R442

• A “Transitional Rhizomania” variety providing adequate tolerance for current levels of disease pressure
• Performance is very similar to Crystal 963 and Crystal 271
• Better quality than diploid Rhizomania types
• Will fit extremely well with new grower payment system for 2007
• Excellent canopy to shade out weeds

Crystal R509

• Highest yielding diploid Rhizomania variety to meet all approval criteria
• Combines very good Rhizomania and Rhizoctonia tolerances
• Performed excellent in Rhizoctonia nurseries in Michigan and Fort Collins
• Expected to be provide excellent emergence
• New for 2007 – limited approval

Crystal Brand Beet Seed Variety Comparison Chart